High School Program Coordinator

BSA is a non-profit organization in DC that concentrates its efforts on empowering Black youth through Civic Leadership and Engagement. We are committed to creating a pipeline of Black youth leaders who are committed to improving self, as well as their communities. We have a proven track record of raising awareness around social issues disproportionately harming Black youth and advocating for the elimination of structural and institutional barriers such as inequitable school funding, punitive school discipline policies and practices and police in schools, as well as insufficient student mental health staffing. The work we do is directed by BSA’s middle and high school youth members that learn, unlearn, gain skills and practice them to move issue-based campaigns forward.

Job Description

We are seeking a creative, passionate, action-oriented High School Program Coordinator, who is committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment for young people to lead. This position will be responsible for recruiting and engaging youth, parents, and school partners, planning and facilitating workshops and program meetings and supporting internal and public events, direct actions and youth-led advocacy efforts. This position may also be responsible for supervising adult supports in programs. The High School Program Coordinator is a full-time (40 hrs/week) salaried position. This position will be supervised by the High School Program Manager.

Job Responsibilities

Youth Engagement

• Recruit and onboard full cohorts of youth, and retain existing youth members
• Regularly table and hold workshops at high schools to expand base of youth supporters outside of membership
• Conduct regular check-ins and 1:1s with BSA youth members
• Create opportunities for youth to build relationships outside of regular program meetings
• Foster an emotionally supportive environment in which youth can ask for connections to resources, including mutual aid

School Partner & Parent Engagement

• Support High School Program Manager in cultivating and strengthening relationships with school partners
• Support Program Manager with recruiting and engaging relevant community partners
• Maintain consistent communication with parents/caregivers
• Work with Program Manager to creatively engage parents

Lead High School Sessions & Meetings

• Foster environment for youth to lead, co-facilitate, make decisions, and strategize
• Create and facilitate interactive lesson plans for high school program meetings
• Collaborate and coordinate with Advocacy & Organizing team on relevant events and workshops
• Manage logistics for programs including transportation, food/snacks, and supplies
• Support ongoing curriculum improvement efforts
• Supervise adult supports that are placed at your site (as needed)

Advocacy & Organizing

• Support youth in the creation and implementation of the Black Youth Agenda by attending and supporting Advocacy & Organizing events, meetings, and projects
• Assist in preparing youth to engage in and take the lead on various campaign tactics (e.g. testifying, meetings, interviews, direct actions)
• Support the planning and execution of youth-led projects and events connected to the Black Youth Agenda

The High School Program Coordinator will be asked to complete additional tasks in support of these goals and have the same administrative responsibilities as all other full-time staff.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Desired:
  • At least one year experience managing short and long-term projects
  • At least one year experience supporting advocacy and organizing efforts
  • Demonstrated commitment to youth leadership, racial equity and systemic change
  • Experience working or living in the DC area
• Required:
  • 2-5 years of experience working with youth
  • 1-3 years of experience facilitating trainings or workshops
  • Ability to secure a DCPS clearance
  • Authorization to work in the United States

Commitment to Equity and Diversity

We are on a mission to create a pipeline of Black youth leaders that are committed to improving self, as well as their communities. Black Swan Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. We strongly encourage native Washingtonians, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people to apply. We encourage anyone for whom this overview resonates to apply.